THE BEETLES OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA. 



2 97 



Riverside lies in Pinal county, on the upper Gila River, at 

 the mouth of a small stream called Mineral Creek. This creek 

 comes down a deep canon, which was once the scene of con- 

 siderable activity during the development of certain copper 

 mines. A concentrating mill and smelter mark the investment 

 of capital in what was without doubt a promising undertaking. 

 At the time of my visit the Rav mine was undergoing careful 

 examination at the hands of Dr. Edward D. Peters, Jr.. to 

 whose kindness I am indebted for the opportunity of visiting 

 this neighborhood. 



The altitude of Riverside is unknown to me. It is however 

 in close proximity to the foot-hills of the Pinal Mountains and 

 considerable difference is found between its insect fauna and 

 that of Tucson. In the canon are a good many cottonwood 

 trees, but no timber of any other kind of sufficient size for use 

 in building. The hills bear a few Cerais gi gardens but they 

 are rather small and evidently the limit of their growth is nearly 

 reached at this altitude. For the remainder of June I col- 

 lected mostly in this canon, from the mouth to a distance of 

 perhaps eight miles up the creek. This collection is referred 

 to Riverside in the list. 



A side trip of a few days was made in order to see some- 

 thing of the higher levels. On the 24th of June I had the 

 opportunity of accompanying Dr. Peters on a ride through the 

 Pinal Mountains. This range is of considerable height and 

 furnishes much pine lumber of good size, sawmills having 

 been established to supply the local demand for building pur- 

 poses and mine timbers. The lower slopes of the system show 

 the usual transition from the plains flora, to that of pine-clad 

 summits, the most remarkable feature being the great devel- 

 opment of maguey, bear-grass and yuccas before reaching 

 the belt of oak scrub. Our camp was made in the pine timber 

 some little distance below Kellner's saw-mills and most of the 

 collecting was done in the immediate neighborhood. Before 

 returning a short visit was made to Globe, and the few insects 

 taken at that place are characteristic of the plains. 1 



1 A separate account of this region has been published by the author in 

 ■"Entomological News." 



